Horsebarn Hill, Storrs, CT. - 7-17-2018
Our Tolland County Art Assoc. plein air group met around 9 a.m. in Storrs, CT. It was a rather humid, warm morning but a few decided to take on the 83+ temperatures. Horsebarn Hill is a terrific area for painters and photographers. The light is amazing because it is so open and the air seems quite clean. It has delights in any season. The hill today was filled with the sounds of bob-o-links flying across its top, as well as many other birds. As a family destination, the barns are open to the public where you will see horses, cows and sheep. Today we stayed near the parking lot, drinking in the beauty of the back of the hill, which is a popular destination in winter for sledding and toboggoning.
Today we had 4 who brought their tools for an hour or so of sketching or painting. Georgiana, Adrienna, Penny and June walked around a little, looking for the right spot to settle on. All brought cameras, as usual, which has become our main means to sketch our chosen subject. We were there until around 11 a.m., battling a sun frequently disappearing behind heavy clouds. That did not change the heat value today, which bordered on oppressive. Still, we found some shade to sit in while we sketched or painted.
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| Penny Brandt, Adrienna Young, Georgiana Bourdeau |
Georgiana stayed just long enough to snap a number of photos of her favorite subject, horses. Perhaps she will share a sketch later.
Adrienna brought oil pastels for a landscape, which is what most chose to do. Her painting was created quite quickly, and her details will be filled in at home.
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Penny sketched with something rather unique. There is a product called Jellyroll gel pens, which is what she used today. She was able to color in white on her grayish paper, which showed up very well. Her use of a white gel pen shows the creative use of an item primarily for scrapbooking. The TCAA members have shown their willingness to try many different tools in their paintings and sketches, and all are encouraged to share their use of unconventional methods with everyone.
June, a newcomer to plein air, tried using Golden Open Acrylics for her painting. She tried a thinned solution for a base coat, and then will be using oil paints to fill in better detail. You can do an underpainting in acrylic, which ordinarily costs less, then you can use oil paints over the acrylic to finish up. June will be heading back to the same location at around the same time throughout the week as she tries to finish the painting 100% plein air. Always remember, the group is not just for seasoned artists. June is a beginner, and she hopes with practice, her pieces will become more polished.
All members are encouraged to view the gallery provided by June. If there are any that tickle your fancy, and you want several angles or closer detail, send June an email at jmitastudios@gmail.com and she will send you the several shots she took of each scene. These pictures are purely for the use of TCAA members. Please do not download or use unless you notify June or the organization.
The value of painting or sketching plein air, is that it forces you to work quickly to just get the basic gist of the scene. You begin to learn what is important to the scene you are trying to convey. As the light changes, you can capture a variety of colors as they also change. That is what gives a painting or colored drawing its unique quality when compared to a photo. The painting changes, which is something a camera cannot do.
Most of us will finish our paintings in a studio or home setting, which is just as valid as painting live. You will capture a less static scene, but the finished piece will be lovely anyway. So bring your cameras when you join our group, and take the pressure off of trying to complete something in a short 2 hours.
Our next plein air location will be in Ellington, CT. We will be gathering on Tuesday, July 24, from 9 to 12:30 p.m. The address is a private home. The address is 8 Frog Hollow Rd., Ellington, CT. Here is what Ronnie Klukas wrote:
July 24, 8 Frog Hollow, Ellington (not far from the Hall Memorial Library)
Margaret Krause's daughter, Karyn's gardens at 8 Frog Hollow in Ellington are in BLOOM. So many things to choose from: barn/garage, chicken coop (with chickens..) lovely old house, ducks, and the FLOWERS. Karyn is truly a master gardener. The plein air painters were there last year and I still remember the many varieties of sunflowers. And the dahlias, oh the dahlias.. Also the celestial morning glories. And the flower that looked like it was a rose, except it wasn't. Do come, you will fill your eyes and your hearts with the beauty there.
Hope to see you.
GALLERY
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